Why is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long? Know The Reality and Act Quickly

Disasters are a part of life, and no one can run away from them. They often come unexpectedly in multiple forms, like car accidents, into our lives. Accidents are more than just disruptions; they lead to a lot of pain and financial issues. These days, individuals prefer accidental or life insurance as a backup and assistance during unfavourable days.

In most cases, it has been noticed that filing a claim after a car accident often turns into a hectic journey. The reason? Delays in claiming the settlement! If you have been in a car accident, filed a claim, and are waiting for the settlement, this blog is for you. This article will help you understand the actual reasons for the delay and suggest some vital processes to get it done quickly without wasting more time.

Reasons Decoded: Why is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?

The answers for waiting months for a settlement aren’t simple, but you need to understand who delays it to act accordingly. Many reasons collectively contribute to your claim, and lets you wait for too long. Here are some common reasons that can interfere with your car accident settlement claiming process:

Investigation Consumes Time

After the accident, the insurance company will proceed with an in-depth investigation to determine who was at fault, the damage percentage, and whether the claim is valid. This process is time-consuming and will include analyzing accident photos and interviewing witnesses. Unfortunately, a liability dispute can extend this process to even months, leaving you waiting for a long time.

Liability or Damages Disapproval

Even a small disagreement on who led the car accident will make the settlement case more complicated. Disputes can arise from differences in witness confessions, blurry accident photos, partial fault, and multiple vehicle accidents. These can hold on to the claim settlement and extend negotiations. In such situations, working with a car accident lawyer Los Angeles can help protect your rights and move the process forward.

Importantly, the negotiation process can be prolonged even after the investigation has been done correctly. In such scenarios, the insurance company and the attorney might undergo multiple offers to reach a mutual conclusion. Negotiations usually take time, but it’s worth spending time.

Disputed Documentation

Missing or insufficient documents, including medical or accident records, can sometimes cause extended delay. Your lawyer needs to fix improper documentation to support your case, followed by an early settlement negotiation. If you delay in providing this information, your case might freeze or be put on hold.

Incomplete Medical Treatment

Those who are still undergoing medical treatment might have to wait some more time, as lawyers often need to understand the injury severity. Doing so is important as an early settlement can lead to undervalued compensation, or your treatment schedule can impact the claim value. It is suggested to proceed further when you have reached the MMI, helping you to estimate the full damages more accurately.

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Insurance Firms May Hold Claims Purposely

It is not surprising to hear that insurance companies do not proceed quickly to settle the claims. They waste time by asking for the same documents repeatedly and pressure you directly or indirectly to agree to low offers. If the company doesn’t seem to cheat you, your lawyer can provide legal assistance.

The Case is Navigating to Legal Action

If your insurance company doesn’t settle your claim quickly or negotiations fail repeatedly, you can head towards litigation for fair compensation. However, this process adds significant extension to get your settlement. It has been noticed that numerous lawsuits settle before trial, but they extend the settlement time to months or even years. 

Your role throughout the entire process is to analyze whether your insurance company stays true to you. In the meantime, you must supply all the required documents to ensure a seamless settlement process without any negligence on your end.

When to Take Action on the Claim Hold?

The postponement of car accident settlements has become common nowadays. Although it claims the fund might take more time than obvious, remember that patience and consistency always pay off. Throughout the process, you are more likely to get signs that you need to do something to accelerate your settlement.

If your case has been frozen for several months or nearly a year without any updates, it is high time for you to take the necessary steps. You can reach out to your attorney for the updated settlement status and ask them about a tentative resolution timeline. Additionally, you need to ensure that all your documents have been submitted completely.

Strategies to Accelerate the Car Mishap Compensation Process

While some delays throughout the process are obvious, you can prevent unnecessary holdups to the settlement using some smart tactics. If you can’t wait for a long time for the accident settlement process, here are the necessary steps to speed up the compensation process.

If you meet with a car accident, you must notify your insurance company followed by lodging a police complaint. The quicker you begin your settlement compensation process, the faster your negotiation process will be. During investigations, stick to your words and avoid admitting your fault under pressure if you are innocent.

One of the best weapons for you is to collect solid evidence in your favor. Please take on-scene clear pictures, the witness’s name and contact details, and write a complete description of the incident, helping prevent further confusion or disapproval. Immediately seek medical assistance, even if you have minor injuries, as it will support you while you are making claims from the insurance company.

Additionally, keep all treatment and repair costs bills with you to support your claim. Hire an experienced and professional lawyer to deal with these problems, and they will significantly boost the car accident claiming process. Legal assistance indicates that you have considered your case seriously.

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A Guide to Car Accident Settlement Timelines

In many scenarios, one of the first questions that people usually ask after meeting with a car mishap is, “How much time does it take to claim the settlement”? However, there is no universal time to this as cases differ, so does the entire process.

A clarity regarding a typical timeline to claim the car accident settlement can help you set realistic expectations and goals. According to the sources, most claims are resolved within 3 to 9 months; however, some cases can be completed within weeks, and others can extend up to a year. The timeline usually depends on several factors, like treatment duration, negotiations, and injury complexity. Below is a simple chart showing different car mishap settlement phases against a tentative timing.

Once a settlement is completed, payment will be carried forward to the car mishap victim within 30 days, depending on the paperwork signing and bank processing times. It is obvious that a car accident settlement will take time, sometimes more than expected, and can test your patience.

Early Settlement or Waiting For A Better Option: What To Choose?

Meeting with a car accident isn’t a pleasurable experience, as it will likely provide you with bills and tension. During this time, your insurance company might offer you an amount for a quick settlement, putting you in confusion about what to do next.

Proceeding with an early accident settlement or holding on for better options is a weighty decision. If you have minor injuries with a clear roadmap, medical expenses, and the offer exceeds your expectations or calculations, you can go with a quick settlement.

In contrast, if the accident resulted in long-term disability or you’re having disputes throughout the process, you are more likely to wait for more favourable options. For more help, you can consult your lawyer and medical assistant, or you can look for a second opinion that could lead to a better decision.

Is it Possible to Obtain a Settlement If You Were Partially at Fault?

If you are partly to blame, the good news is you can still obtain the settlement in many cases. Most US states consider comparative negligence rules, indicating that each party’s fault will be calculated as a percentage. For example, if the total damage is $10,000 and you’re subjected to 40% fault, you will obtain approximately $6,000.

The settlement figures are subject to change according to the state you reside in. It is noted that even a small fault may keep you away from the accident settlement in some states. However, legal assistance, proper evidence, and smart negotiations can turn out to be beneficial for you. 

The Final Verdict

While understanding the reasons why my car accident settlement is taking so long, you might have learned that this process consumes time. The exact timeline to sort out and claim the settlement is tentative and depends on your decision.

If you agree to early settlements, it will benefit you with free cash, but waiting for the final decision could result in fairer compensation. You should think wisely and choose the path that is beneficial for your health and future.

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